Carpinteria Shores vacation rentals, 4975 Sandyland Road, Carpinteria; (805) 684-3570, http://www.carpinteriashores.com. There are no hotels on the beach in Carpinteria. These 35 beach-facing two-bedroom, one-bath, full-kitchen condos rent for $2,000-$3,300 a week in summer, $1,200-$1,800 a week the rest of the year.

Simpson House, 121 E. Arellaga St., Santa Barbara; (805) 963-7067, http://www.simpsonhouseinn.com. An 1874 Victorian on a full acre, with six units in the house and nine more in a carriage house and adjacent cottages. Doubles from $195.

Island Packers, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, No. 105B, Ventura; (805) 642-1393, http://www.islandpackers.com. This longtime park concessionaire offers trips to the islands (adults from $56, children 12 and younger $39.), whale-watching (from $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger) and harbor cruises (adults from $20 and children 12 and younger from $12).

Carpinteria State Beach, Palm Avenue and Sandyland Road, Carpinteria; (805) 968-1033, http://www.lat.ms/NaKtrM. About 215 campsites and five group sites on about 60 beachfront acres. Rates (which rose on May 1) are $45-$80 per night (more for larger campsites). Summer bookings can fill seven months in advance.